WELCOME

The St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church was inaugurated in November 2001 by Bishop Bernard Gremoli as part of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia (formerly Vicariate of Arabia). Our parish is presently pastored by Bishop Paul Hinder. We comprise of many nationalities and diverse communities from around the world united in one body of Christ. Located just off of Sheikh Zayed road behind Al Muntazah Complex in the emirate of Dubai, we are easily accessible from The Gardens Boulevard, Ibn Battuta Metro Station by bus or taxi, and from the Jebel Ali Village Interchange. View our location map.

…you are no longer aliens or foreign visitors: you are citizens like all the saints, and part of God's household. You are part of a building that has the apostles and prophets for its foundations, and Christ Jesus himself for its main cornerstone.— Ephesians 2:19–20

The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Parishioner Profile Registration

Christmas Programme 2017

abstracts

WHY PEOPLE WHO PRAY ARE HEALTHIER THAN THOSE WHO DON’T”“It doesn’t matter if you pray for yourself or for others, pray to heal an illness or for peace in the world, or simply sit in silence and quiet the mind — the effects appear to be the same. …prayer and meditation increase levels of dopamine, which is associated with states of well being and joy. …one group of people who suffer migraines to meditate 20 minutes each day repeating a spiritual affirmation, such as “God is good. God is peace. God is love.” The other group used a nonspiritual mantra: “Grass is green. Sand is soft.” The spiritual meditators had fewer headaches and more tolerance of pain than those who had focused on the neutral phrases.

CHRISTIANITY WITHOUT DOGMAThe poet Robert Frost once said that writing free verse was like playing tennis without a net. It’s the same for those who would like their Christianity to be free from dogma. Dogma, for those who have forgotten, are the doctrines that are specified as necessary to be believed. By their very nature, dogmas are intellectual propositions that spell out certain Christian beliefs. They’re mandatory--like the net is for tennis. » more

BLACK MASS ORGANIZERS FACE LAWSUIT OVER STOLEN HOST“Our legal theory is very simple,” he continued, “a Consecrated Eucharist belongs to the Church.”“The Church has exercised dominion and control over the Eucharist for 2000 years. The Satanists procured the Consecrated Host by illicit means, by theft or fraud. We are simply asking the Court to return the stolen property to its rightful owner, the Roman Catholic Church.” » more

PRAYER A STRONGHOLD IN LIFE, DEATH OF CATHOLIC JOURNALIST JAMES FOLEYAbout how he turned to prayer, specifically the Rosary, during his captivity, and how the prayers of family and friends also gave him strength. “I began to pray the Rosary.” he wrote. “It was what my mother and grandmother would have prayed. I said 10 Hail Marys between each Our Father. It took a long time, almost an hour to count 100 Hail Marys off on my knuckles. And it helped to keep my mind focused.”» more

WHY DO CHILDREN LOSE FAITH IN GOD?Why is it that some people are able to know God and believe in Him until the end of their days, while others lose their faith while still young ? How does this loss of faith occur and by what means can faith be preserved or renewed? » more

GOD IS IN THE DETAILS Three thousand were killed at the first Pentecost; at the New Pentecost, occurring after the definitive Passover of Christ's sacrifice on the cross, three thousand were not just restored, but in a real sense were brought back to life (Rom. 6:4).

So, how do you train yourself to pick up on these details? Perhaps the easiest way is to follow along while the lector is reading at Mass. Focus not just on the main storyline but on the small points the sacred author includes. Ask yourself questions. Why did Jesus say what he said in just that way? Why is this precise detail mentioned? If the homily is engaging, save your questions to think about later, perhaps during post-Communion meditation. If you find yourself bored during the homily, then focus on your questions and think about them instead.
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POPE'S LENTEN MESSAGE 2014 So what is this poverty by which Christ frees us and enriches us? It is his way of loving us, his way of being our neighbour, just as the Good Samaritan was neighbour to the man left half dead by the side of the road (cf. Lk 10:25ff).» more

IMPORTANCE OF CONFESSION Francis has personally directed his closest collaborators, the cardinals and archbishops of the Roman Curia, to take turns hearing daily confession in the Church of Santo Spirito in Sassia, an ordinary Roman church outside of the Vatican.» more

POPE FRANCIS GREETS MUSLIMS He urges both Christians and Muslims to promote mutual respect. He sent greetings to Muslims, our brothers, throughout the world who had just finished celebrating the end of the holy month of Ramadan.» more

WHY YOU SHOULD BRING YOUR BABY TO CHURCH Don’t do mass in shifts. The Mass is for families. When parents say they aren’t “getting anything out of Mass” when they bring small children they are missing the point. What you get out of Mass when you have small children is the joy of passing your faith on to them. That’s what you signed up for when you became a Catholic parent. Yes, it can be tough, and yes, you may certainly do other things to get your spiritual needs met, but Sunday mass is for your family. Go as a family.» more

VATICAN BANK CLEAN-UP INTENSIFIESReligious and judicial specialists on Tuesday said the Vatican had forcibly shed two long-serving chiefs who survived the unceremonious eviction in May 2012 of the former head, Ettore Gotti Tedeschi, purportedly for poor management but amid reports of money-laundering. » more

CHRISTIAN BY CHANCE?being Christian is a response to the voice of love, to a call to become children of God. There is a call, “by name, and with a promise,” the Pope said, “Go ahead, I am with you! I walk beside you.” This, he said, Jesus knew as well: “Even in the most difficult moments He turns to the Father”. » more

ST. PAUL'S CHURCHMussafah, Abu Dhabi. On 29 June 2013, the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Bishop Paul Hinder blessed the foundation stone on the site of the future St. Paul's Church in the presence of many priests and sisters, about 300 faithful as well as the architects, engineers and contractors. » more

100 DAYS OF FRANCISPope Francis is approaching 100 days as our Holy Father. The beginning of his papal service has drawn massive attention and offered new ways of carrying out the leadership of the Universal Church. » more

POPE SENDS CLEAR SIGNALA last-minute no-show by Pope Francis at a concert sent another clear signal that he is going to do things his way and does not like the Vatican high life. » more

BE PASTORScandidates must be “close to the people, fathers and brothers…gentle, patient and merciful; animated by inner poverty, the freedom of the Lord and also by outward simplicity and austerity of life” » more

daily prayer

AN ACT OF CHARITY

O my God, I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured. Amen.

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Please check regularly for updates as the parish may change the information and/or schedule as, and when, appropriate.
Temporary changes, usually at short notice, and last minute revisions appear only on the home page.
Masses, sacramental courses/seminars, and other periodical services may be cancelled during summer break, and on days of feasts and solemnities.
Catechism classes conclude for the summer break and a new catechetical year starts after the break.
When in doubt, or where the information is ambiguous or incomplete, please consult the coordinator(s), where applicable, and/or the parish office.